Karjat farmers and tribals oppose 6,000 MW hydropower projects, demand permanent cancellation

Farmers tribal communities and local residents have opposed the proposed Saidongar1 and Saidongar2 pumped storage hydropower projects in Karjat taluka collectively having a proposed capacity of 6000 MWThe Karjat Taluka Paryavaran Bachao Sangharsh Samiti has submitted a detailed memorandum to the Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis through the Karjat tehsildar demanding the permanent cancellation of both projectsThe committee has warned that the projects could threaten the regions forests agricultural land rivers water sources biodiversity and the traditional rights of tribal communities It has said the movement will continue through democratic and legal means until both projects are cancelledAdvocate Kailash More associated with the Karjat Taluka Paryavaran Bachao Sangharsh Samiti said the memorandum highlights the ecological importance of Karjat taluka which is surrounded by the Sahyadri mountain ranges and has dense forests rivers streams and rich biodiversityThe committee has demanded an immediate halt to tree felling forest clearances construction road development and all land acquisition activities linked to the projects until the government takes a final decisionIt has also called for an independent highlevel inquiry into the approval process and the formation of a committee comprising affected villagers and environmental expertsDemand cumulative impact assessment of both projectsA key concern raised in the memorandum is the proposed use of a common reservoir on the Page river for both Saidongar projectsThe committee has demanded a comprehensive Cumulative Impact Assessment to examine the combined environmental impact of the two projects rather than assessing them independentlyIt has also sought a separate hydrological study to assess the possible impact on water sources in PaliBhutivali Poshir Shilar and surrounding areasSeek public disclosure of project documentsThe committee has demanded that all government approvals clearances reports and agreements related to the projects be made public along with certified copies of the documentsThe documents sought include Detailed Project Reports DPRs Environmental Impact Assessment EIA reports environmental clearances StageI and StageII forest clearances details of trees proposed to be felled forest land records tribal forest rights Gram Sabha resolutions land acquisition papers Social Impact Assessment reports hydrological studies and Central Electricity Authority approvalsIt has also sought the DPR of the proposed 400 KV transmission line permissions related to roads and the Missing Link project and details of agreements between the project company and the governmentTribal and farmers rights raised in memorandumThe memorandum has highlighted concerns over the possible impact on tribal families and farmers The committee has sought details of the number of tribal families likely to be affected individual and community forest rights Gram Sabha consent agricultural land acquisition compensation and rehabilitationIt has demanded that no further action be taken until the legal rights of affected communities are protectedGovernment asked to respond within eight daysAmong its nine key demands the committee has sought the permanent cancellation of both projects suspension of all related activities an independent inquiry into the approval process and the formation of a committee involving affected villagers and environmental expertsIt has also demanded a clear written decision from the government along with an actiontaken report and written information on the requested documents within eight days of receiving the memorandumWe do not want destruction we want sustainable development We do not accept the Torrent projects which threaten Karjats forests water resources agriculture and the existence of its local communities This is not a struggle for any political party but a fight for the land of Karjat and the future of coming generations Our struggle will not stop until both Torrent projects are cancelled the committee said in a statementOfficebearers of the Karjat Taluka Paryavaran Bachao Sangharsh Samiti and several residents of Pali village were present when the memorandum was submitted